I want to install a TonePros Bridge and Tailpiece on my 335

[Denny]

I have a Gibson 2001 335 with the thin, threaded bridge posts. The guitar sounds a bit dead and was wondering if any of yoooz guyz have done this mod with any noticable success. My frets are a bit flat which is accountable for some of the clearity loss (yea I know - "you do refretting - why don't you refret it" LOL). I'd like to install some beefier posts, a new bridge and stop tailpiece. What do you recommend??

Denny

[drfrankencopter]

I installed the tonepros tailpiece and bridge on my 2001 Les Paul. The bridge heps keep the intonation set properly, as the gibson ABR-1 would wobble a little back and forth (the bridge post holes were too big), especially when I top-wrap the strings over the tailpiece. Also, the bridge stays put during string changes, which is nice, as I was always screwing up the action when changing strings (I take em all off before putting the new ones on).

If you want to beef up the posts, just put two knurled nuts on each post...that's what I did, and it keeps them nice and stable. One set is cranked all the way down flush with the body, and the other sets the action height. Works for me!

Cheers

Kris

[Denny]

I like the 2 nuts deal. Did the TonePros stuff make any noticable audible difference in the Tone, attack, etc of the guitar? Thanks

D.

[Jack Briggs]

You can put either the AVR1 TonePros or the Nashville on your threaded posts. I did that to a '80's LP Custom not too long ago. Thought I was faced with removing the original posts but to my surprise the TonePros Nashville bridge went right on without any mods.

I think either would be an improvement tonally. Not to mention that your bridge won't fall off when changing strings.

[Denny]

I'd actually like to change out those thin posts to some thicker ones - is that possible?

[Figher53]

I'm installing a Tonepros bridge and studs on my 2001 Standard today. Will also be changing the zinc stoptail for an aluminum lightweight. Will report back later.

[Denny]

10/4 - I await the report.

[walterw]

by all means, put the avr locking abr-1 and the steel locking studs on there, but i think your "dull" sound is because of the 300k linear volume pots those guitars come with. put some 500k audio tapers in there and it'll wake right up.

[Denny]

I put in the Mojo - Kit or the RS kit - forgot which one I used in that guitar. Not much difference. Hated the classic 57's, tried burstbudker pros - hated 'em, now using (believe it or not) GFS hot PAF's and they sound the best so far. I know the flat-crowned frets are playing some part, but I also know it's not the main culpret either.

[walterw]

interesting. ok, i wouldn't go pulling those threaded posts out, as it seems there are just as many people who insist that those are the better sounding way to go. the locking stuff does indeed add a bit of sustain and top end to the sound, especially if you get the steel locking studs.

[Denny]

some guys mentioned "aluminum" bridges and tails??

[walterw]

not bridges, but real vintage 50's gibsons had aluminum stop bar tailpieces, which tended to add a bit of "airiness" and a slightly more "acoustic" character to the sound, rather than the more dense, "solid" sound of the later zinc stop bars.

i like the lightweight stop bar with steel locking studs on my paul, but it might be too much for your already semi-hollow 335. (or it could be just right, YMMV.)

[Denny]

I want more attack, bite, sustain and clean-bell like notes. My original '68 was awesome and it had a trapeze tail. My Epi Studio dot sounds better - so does my Epi wildkat (to my ears anyway) - there's no cracks, the saddles are new, nut is fine, just re-crowned and polished the frets, did intonation - it's still the same. really bummin' me out when a 200.00 import sounds and plays better than a 2500.00 USA guitar!!!!

Helpppppp!!!!!!

D.

[skylabfilmpop]

Unless you do a stainless steel post of the same size and threading. The ABR-1's wimpy posts actually join better with the body than the Nashvilles seemingly larger posts because the Nashville posts sit loosly in their brass bushings, and the ABR connects directly into the wood. If you visit the Les Paul forum and search "Mapleflame" you will find details of using readily available stainless screws from the hardware store, removing their heads with a dremel tool and polishing them. You can with this mod use a slightly longer post for the bridge, sinking it deeper into the body. The result of this is generally a brighter sound. Before you go doing that first put on a tonepros, pigtail or RS lightweight tailpiece with a set of Tonepros or Pigtail steel tailpiece studs, you can even add a second set of thumbscrews to the bridge posts if you fear them leaning, replace the wiring harness of your guitar with one with all 500k pots (measure them to be sure they read close to 500k or above. Add Treble bleed circuits or wire 50's style to retain highs when turning down. Compared to your late 60's es, your current production 335 guitar has lower value pots, cheaper pots, wax potted higher output pickups, a poplar laminate body and a short tenon neck without a proper wood to wood neck joint. All of this defeats what you are seeking tonally by different increments and each one makes the guitar a little darker. Doing the tailpiece and tailpiece studs, and replacing electronics will help out a lot, maybe swapping the 57 classics for a set of early 70's ttops will get you even closer. Going back to an early 90's or 80's es or a Historic will get you back the neck Joint, and the historic will provide you non laminated maple body as well as proper value pots and a lightweight tailpiece. FYI in my own personal bridge shootout I found the AVR2 tonepros less bright and less lively than the stock Gibson ABR-1 which has become my preferred bridge.

[Denny]

Very useful info here - thanks. It already has the electronics mods - didn't change a thing as far as crispness, clarity and zing. From what I'm reading here - looks like it's in the actual build quality, and manufacturing process that makes the tone the nature of this beast???!! don't get me wrong - it's still a great guitar, but not an incredible guitar.